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Our Board of Governors
The local dedicated members of the Human Rights Campaign's Board of Governors manage the organization's local outreach. They help to build HRC's membership and maintain relationships with Greater Cincinnati. Each member of the HRC Board of Governors is responsible for coordinating fundraising and volunteer activity in Greater Cincinnati. Members also serve as liaisons between Greater Cincinnati and HRC's staff and boards.
Currently, there is a maximum of eight Governors assigned to Greater Cincinnati by the National HRC Headquarters. (in alphabetical order by last name)
🏳️🌈 = Federal Club Members
Richard Chizmadia 🏳️🌈, Dinner Liaison
Rick has been a volunteer with the HRC for over 30 years. He began is HRC work in Detroit where he served on the dinner committee for 16 years, represented Michigan as a Board of Governor for 5 years, and served in the capacity of Dinner, Steering committee, and Fed Club co-chair during his tenure there. Rick moved to Cincinnati in 2010 and immediately joined the dinner committee and joined the steering committee in 2014 where he served as Federal Club Co-Chair, Federal Club Council Co-chair, and was 2-time Dinner co-chair.
Elizabeth Kennedy 🏳️🌈, Federal Club Liaison
Elizabeth has been involved with Greater Cincinnati HRC since 2015. By serving as Membership Outreach chair for over 3 years, Volunteer Engagement liaison, and Fed Club liaison, Elizabeth has turned her advocacy into her occupation. She is excited to create and lead positive change with the hopes of building a more inclusive, progressive, and understanding community. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling with her husband.
Chase Rickey 🏳️🌈, Federal Club Liaison
Chase’s first introduction to HRC was at a Greater Cincinnati HRC Dinner. The night was so moving that he was inclined to join the Federal Club. As his involvement with Federal Club grew and he met more and more members, Chase saw an opportunity to utilize some of his personal and professional connections throughout the local LGBTQ community to help grow the Federal Club membership. Chase became one of the Federal Club co-chairs and enjoyed working to grow the local membership. Chase eventually became a major donor and has been a Federal Club Council member for the last several years.
Karen Harmon
Karen coaches with empathy, warmth, and understanding to create a safe space for non-judgmental, confidential, curious exploration of each client's strengths, challenges, goals, objectives, and desires.
Ben Williams🏳️🌈
Ben’s first introduction to HRC was at an Atlanta HRC Dinner. He went on to join the Dinner Committee. When he relocated to the Greater Cincinatti area, he got involved on the Greater Cincinnati Dinner Committee and joined the PACE Committee. He has served as the PACE Co-Chair, Silent Auction Chair, and started his first term as a Governor in Fall 2024. Outside of HRC, he is involved actively in his profession and is the Chair of Miami University’s LGBTQ+ Alumni Board.